Indian Fruit Traders Boycott Turkish Goods Over Pakistan Support
| 2025-05-15
Representative Image
Fruit traders in India are boycotting Turkish apples and produce over Ankara’s support for Pakistan, citing national security concerns and past military ties.
Nationwide Boycott Takes Root
Indian fruit traders have begun a coordinated effort to stop importing and selling Turkish goods following Ankara’s vocal support for Pakistan, a development that has sparked protests in multiple cities.
Turkey’s growing military partnership with Pakistan, including the supply of drones reportedly used in operations against Indian interests, has led traders to sever commercial ties. “Turkey supplied drones to Pakistan, which were used in attacks against India. That’s why we’ve decided to stop selling Turkish fruits,” said Shadab Khan, a fruit trader speaking to Indian media.
India imports over ₹1,200 crore (approximately $145 million) worth of goods from Turkey annually, with fresh fruits—especially apples—forming a significant portion of the trade.
Traders Refuse New Orders
While existing shipments of Turkish produce are still arriving in Indian ports, traders have pledged not to place any new orders. Noor Mohammed, another fruit vendor, told local reporters, “We have decided to sever all business ties with Turkey. We don’t want any country benefiting from trade with India and then using that money against us. From now on, we will not import anything from Turkey.”
The boycott is being implemented across key wholesale markets, including those in Mumbai and Pune. While Turkish apples are not currently in season—their exports typically begin post-October—traders say the gap in supply can be filled by imports from countries such as the United States, Poland, Iran, and South Africa, along with domestic production from Himachal Pradesh and northern India.
“Poland has emerged as a major alternative supplier,” said Rohan Ursal, a trader at Pune’s market yard. “There will be no shortfall in apple availability even with a complete ban on Turkish produce.”
Nationalist Backing
The movement has gained momentum with support from the Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), a nationalist economic advocacy group aligned with the ideological framework of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
In a strongly worded statement, the SJM criticised Turkey’s military cooperation with Pakistan, claiming it reflects an ideological alignment that undermines regional stability.
“Turkey’s defence cooperation with Pakistan is not just a business arrangement but an ideological alignment that destabilises South Asia,” the organisation said. It also called on the Indian government to impose broader economic sanctions on Turkey, including suspending flights and discouraging tourism.
Recalling Humanitarian Ties
The SJM further accused Turkey of disregarding India’s humanitarian support during past crises. In February 2023, following a devastating earthquake in southern Turkey, India had launched “Operation Dost,” sending over 100 tonnes of relief material, including search and rescue teams, medical supplies, and field hospitals.
“India stood by Turkey as a responsible global power, upholding the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family),” the SJM said. “Yet, Turkey has aligned itself with a regime hostile to Indian interests.”
Strategic and Economic Implications
The economic impact of this boycott could be limited in the short term, as Turkey’s share in India's fruit import market is replaceable, according to traders. However, the political symbolism of the move is significant, reflecting growing calls within India to align trade policy with national security priorities.
The episode also adds strain to already complex diplomatic relations between India and Turkey. Ankara has often expressed support for Pakistan’s position on Kashmir, a point of longstanding contention with New Delhi.
In recent years, Turkey has expanded its military and technological cooperation with Pakistan, including the sale of drones and warships. Indian officials have previously expressed concerns over this relationship, viewing it as part of a broader strategic realignment involving countries seen as adversarial to Indian interests.
Context: India-Turkey Relations
India and Turkey maintain diplomatic ties and have engaged in bilateral discussions through platforms like the G20 and the United Nations. Despite divergences on issues such as Kashmir and defence policy, the two nations have cooperated in areas including energy security and trade.
However, nationalist groups in India argue that continued engagement with countries perceived as hostile sends the wrong signal domestically and internationally. The boycott of Turkish goods is the latest in a series of public calls for “economic nationalism,” advocating self-reliance and selective trade based on strategic alignment.
As tensions persist in South Asia, the boycott signals a shift in how grassroots economic actors, such as market vendors and traders, are increasingly influenced by international political developments. Whether the Indian government formalises these boycotts into policy remains to be seen.
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